NFL Draft: The Next 5 OLBs

Looking for an outside linebacker in the Draft? Pro scout Eric Galko shares his Top 5 guys who should be garnering attention.

Next Five: The Top 5 Outside Pass Rushers After 2011 Draft's
Von Miller

Last year, the Broncos took a somewhat undersized, "tweener" rusher
with the second overall pick. While Miller was a freak athlete, had no
character concerns, and was
highly thought of by many around the league, it was the emphasis on
value in pass rushers that
ultimately lead to Miller being taken in that Top 3 picks.

While last year featured Miller, Aldon
Smith, and the raw Robert
Quinn
in the Top 15 picks, this draft has quite a few intriguing rushers,
some of which likely will end up in
that top half of the draft as well. Here are the "next five" pass
rushers that could be first round difference
makers in the NFL next year.

1. Courtney
Upshaw, Alabama
(3-4 OLB or 4-3 D3)
A rare physical specimen, what Upshaw lacks in ideal pass rusher height
(only around 6'1), he makes up with an outstanding combination of bulk
(270+), strength, and
smoothness as a rusher. While some prospects (including on this list)
are characterized as a
"tweener", to me, Upshaw isn't between positions, but can fill both a
defensive end as well as a rush
linebacker in a variety of NFL schemes. His lack of ideal arm length
and limitations in quickness hurt, but he's
explosive, developed, and defined as a
rusher that should make an instant impact in the NFL.

2. Melvin
Ingram, South
Carolina (3-4 OLB)
Ingram is both an exciting player to project to the NFL as well as one
who leaves a lot of questions. He's mostly a "one-year wonder"
prospect, which is always concerning for
some NFL teams. He's a fantastic athlete who's shown pass rush ability
using both quickness and hand
placement at 5-technique, 7-technqiue, and standing up as a rusher.
While he's truly a talent
without a position as of now, a creative
defensive coordinator.

3. Quinton
Coples, North
Carolina (4-3 DE)
NFL teams reportedly have a concern with Coples motor and overall work
ethic, but he seems to me to be a classic case of "fired coaching
syndrome" that NFL prospects
face. Coples was outstanding as a junior, but as a senior, he was asked
to take over a team that lost a
ton of senior leadership, was full of raw talents that didn't always
play within themselves, and had
to go through the turmoil and inconsistencies of a fired coach. Coples
is an elite talent who's work
ethic and character concerns are far overblown, and he's worthy of a
Top 15 pick easily.

4. Nick Perry,
USC (4-3 DE or
3-4 OLB)
Still a bit one dimensional and deliberate in his rushes at times,
Perry tested through the roof at the Combine, showcasing his
outstanding athleticism and high ceiling as a
rusher. He likely could fit into 3-4 scheme on the outside if need be
because he can play in space well,
but ideally, he's a weakside edge rusher at the next level.
5. Andre Branch,
Clemson (3-4
OLB or 4-3 DE)
A bit stiff in space for me as a complete 3-4 outside linebacker, he
does have stand-up rusher ability thanks to his hands and quick twitch
explosiveness. With his size and
athleticism, the 3-4 might be best to highlight his skills, but his
counter rushes and force with his
hands could make him a very impactful 4-3 rusher, so the versatility is
there for Branch as a prospect.